Most sophisticated and intelligent musician


Let's stay with not classical musicians.
It's John McLaughlin for me.
inna
Hmmm. Thanks for the definition,CW. Seems to me he was both sophisticated in his understanding of complex feelings and issues, and bohemian in his lifestyle. Whether he was more of one attribute than the other can be debated. For me, his music is enough of an answer.
Gene Simmons - they call him Dr. Love.

Kid Rock - he's not straight outta' Compton, he's straight out the trailer.

Axl Rose - no explanation needed.
i would say that there are a lot of musicians who are highly intelligent but on paper i guess i would go with kris kristofferson (phi beta kappa, rhodes scholar, &c).